The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces during the Vietnam War and its walls bear the names of the more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

The traveling replica is designed to bring The Wall’s healing legacy to communities across the U.S., and to those who have not had the chance, or the ability to visit the real structure.

The Wall That Heals and Mobile Education Center are available 24 hours on the front lawn of Living History Farms. Admission is free of charge. The event is from September 29 – October 2, 2016

As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, I think of our veterans all through the year and thank them for our freedom and the privileges that are so easily taken for granted. Their sacrifices are untold and their rewards should be uncounted. There are so many things to see and so many things to do within our state that I have attached a link from Travel Iowa that provides you with a list of all of the possibilities. This would be a good opportunity for the family to get out and have some history lessons and have a lot of fun. This link will allow you to sort by region for various activities. Have a fun and safe weekend!

If you’re in the Des Moines area and choose to stick close to home, please don’t forget Camp Dodge.

The Des Moines Corporate Games is sponsored by small, medium and large companies and the Greater Des Moines Partnership. This 8-week event enables and supports teamwork, company pride and corporate wellness through healthy competition. If you click the Events tab, you’ll see all kinds of fun things to do. The registration tab will take you to the registration portal. I think you’ll find something for everyone.

The Des Moines Corporate Games is a company based competition, starting June 1 and ending July 31, that enables and supports teamwork, company pride and corporate wellness through healthy competition. There are twenty-one sports offered that include both competitive and non-competitive sports and events. All events will be held in the evenings and on the weekends.

In 2008, sitting in a radiation unit at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, I had the privilege of meeting a lady named Olla Rae Chicola. There were many people there day in and day out, but for some reason, she and I connected. Started with eye contact, followed by a smile and from that day forward, we planned to meet up with each other. She learned about us, we learned about her. She was an advocate for her brother.

What else I learned about Olla Rae is AMAZING. This lady will go straight to heaven without passing go. She has been an absolute saint to those in need. Her family has been very instrumental in creating this movie (trailer below) and I would love to share this during this time of Thanksgiving. She has fed thousands of people – free – no ID required, if you’re there and you’re hungry, you eat. Please take time to catch this movie. It is extremely inspiring and wouldn’t the world be a better place if we had more Olla Rae’s?

At this time of Thanksgiving, I would also like to extend a thanks to all of my Clients and their families for the business and the referrals that you continue to give me year in and year out. This is my 38^th year as an independent insurance agent in Des Moines, and I could not have done it without each and every one of you. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Good Morning to all Veterans and their families. We cannot begin to tell you how blessed and fortunate we feel to be in the United States of America with such tremendous support from the people who secure our freedom.

It is so easy to take for granted what we have been born into. But, trust me, for any of us that have made foreign trips, one of the things that comes to my mind: we always say a prayer when we leave and we always kiss the ground when we return. It’s a beautiful world that we live in, but there’s no place like home.

I have grandfathers, my father, my husband, almost all of my uncles and the majority of my male cousins that have proudly served in every branch of our military. I have countless friends that also have served as far back as World War II and I just cannot believe the sacrifices they have made for us.

In appreciation for our true red, white and blue, you will notice that my website, my business cards and almost everything that I do somehow winds up being red, white and blue. There are a few things that I have come across on a day-to-day basis that I have included here that I would like to share with you.

Veterans Day Free Restaurants

The Veterans Site on Facebook

Please meet one of my younger cousins, Marty Osmundson. Marty has been in the military for most of his adult life and I had the pleasure of watching him transform from a young man that wasn’t sure exactly what his future would hold to a very honorable and dedicated soldier. Marty has served three tours of duty. I am so extremely proud of him as person and what he was willing to sacrifice for all of us. I am also thankful that he is home safe and sound, but always ready at a moment’s notice.